Page 13 of Priest’s Sunbeam (Renegade Souls MC: Next Generation #2)

Sunshine

It was all so hectic that Sunny felt like she’d aged a decade since yesterday.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?” She asked Clover, who was sitting sulkily with her shoulders curled in.

“And what? We all ride on Seb’s bike?”

“He’d take the truck instead.”

“No, I’m staying with Mom and Dad. I don’t want to see yet another Priest boy mooning over you.”

Frowning, she stopped shoving little tank tops into a backpack. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Like you don’t know.”

“I don’t. That’s the purpose of asking. Are you going to explain?”

Her sister gave her a moody stare. “Figure it out for yourself.”

Confused, she finished packing. “What’s with you lately? I know this isn’t ideal, but you know Dad will get it sorted, and things can go back to normal.”

“Until the next time and the next time. It’s always something. I was having a good time, and then he showed up to get me, and now we’re locked up like animals.”

“Hardly. It’s called keeping our family safe. Try to be a bit more understanding, Clover. I know you don’t like change…”

She snapped. “It’s nothing to do with that. But it wouldn’t occur to you, huh? You’re only interested in being the star of your show and couldn’t give a crap about the rest of us.”

Sunny blinked, puzzled by the animosity.

“It’s nothing like that. I ask again, where is this coming from? Because this isn’t random, Clover. Talk to me.”

“What’s the point? Go run off with Priest.”

“None of this is my choice. I came home, too.”

Clover picked at the cotton on her PJ bottoms and flipped her dark hair. “And look what happened. Dad is letting you go to a little love nest. I’m surprised Tanner isn’t packing to tag along with you.”

Sunny’s eyebrows hit her hairline, and as she put down her bag at the door, she carefully sat at Clover’s side. “Is something going on?”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know, but this snappy bitch routine isn’t you.”

“How would you know? You don’t even live here. It’s me stuck in this club.”

“Is that it? You don’t enjoy being at the clubhouse anymore? Have you talked to Mom?”

“No one listens.”

That was a lie. Their mom was an advocate for open conversations, especially about people’s mental health.

“Once this blows over, you don’t need to come around if you don’t want to. No one has ever forced us here. It’s just where all our friends and family hang out.”

“Yeah, well, I’ll leave here as soon as possible. You did it, so why can’t I?”

Sunny felt the blow to her heart.

“Don’t talk like that, Clover. I only went to school, and as soon as it’s over, I’ll be coming back.” Running away because of emotional issues was never the answer. She understood that better than most.

“I wouldn’t come back here. I’ll be going as far as I can. Away from this place, this club, anything to do with stupid bikers.”

Frowning, Sunny tried to hug her sister, but Clover shrugged her off. “Has someone upset you?”

“No, everything is fine, Sunny. Shouldn’t you be going?”

“Would you tell me if someone had upset you?”

Another shrug.

“You can always call me, no matter what.”

Another sullen shrug, and she got to her feet, heading out of the bedroom. Sunny grabbed the backpack and followed, having quickly dressed in jeans, a simple red sweater, and her boots. He was by the door, and she saw him scowling when Tanner walked toward her.

“Do you know what’s wrong with Clover? Has she mentioned anything lately about people harassing her?”

“She’s probably spooked by what’s going on. You know how she gets.”

“I do, but she’s acting weird.”

“I’ll monitor her.”

“Thank you,” she said, hugging him. She then heard a shrill whistle and looked up to find Seb’s thunderous eyes on her. “Let’s go, Sunny.”

“Sheesh. You can’t wait two minutes? We don’t have the Yakuza on our tails. Relax.”

Tanner stifled a smirk and lifted the backpack from her hands, following her to Sebastian, who snatched it from Tanner.

“Go wait by my bike. Your folks are out there,” He told her, but was staring at his younger brother.

Was everyone huffing bleach around here lately? They were all acting out of character.

Maybe she’d been gone too long, and everyone had matured in the wrong direction. Aging in reverse. Because no one’s actions were making a lick of sense tonight.

As she was marching outside, she heard something behind her. “You’ll keep your hands off her in the future, you hearing me?” That was Sebastian.

And before she was out of earshot, Tanner said. “Oh, yeah, who’s gonna make me?”

Her parents turned when they heard her approach. “Listen to everything Sebastian says, honey. Let him keep you from harm, please.”

“Everything?” she raised her eyebrows, grinning, and her mom chuckled, kissing her cheek. “I love you.”

“Love you, too. Do I get a hug, Dad?”

He scowled, pulling her into his arms, and she relaxed, smelling his familiar dad scent. The most remarkable man alive.

“The boy said you two haven’t been talking this year.”

She frowned, surprised that Seb would tell her dad that. And why?

“Keep not talking to him, Sunny girl.”

“Colton.” Her mom chastised him.

“Gia. I promised that’s all I would say. I didn’t tell her to use a gun, did I?”

Gia thought this was hilarious. Sunny was just confused, but Sebastian interrupted them.

“I have plenty of weapons.” He eyed her. He approached and kept going till he grasped her coat zipper, fastening it to her chin. “Ready?” he tied their bags onto his bike.

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Phone every day.” Her dad said, his hands pushed down into the front pockets of his jeans. “Every hour, Sunny.”

“Hawk, baby, she’s going to be fine. Seb will make sure of it.”

Her dad only grunted. “This shit will be sorted soon, and I’ll come for you.”

“I’ll bring her home, VP.” Rasped Sebastian.

Sunny looked between the pair, unsure of what silent biker conversation they were having.

“Remember what I said,” Hawk aimed at Seb.

“If you remember what I said.”

These bikers were cryptic creatures with their own biker language.

Her mom forced Hawk back into the club, leaving the pair alone. She quickly climbed onto the back of his bike like she’d been doing her whole life.

“Do you remember how to hold on?”

Giving a tut, she nipped his waist. “Of course I do. Can we go fast?”

She heard him chuckle. “Sure thing, sunbeam.”

Her nickname pierced her heart and warmed her all over.

True to his word, once he’d started the engine and she was comfortably holding onto his waist, he shot off down the length of the courtyard. The gates opened for them, and he weaved onto the public road.

It was exhilarating to be on the back of a bike again, but to be riding with Sebastian, feeling his heat through her fingertips and how powerfully he managed the motorcycle, was a thrill she’d missed so much.

The journey was over far too soon, but the shock of their location now had her attention.

“We’re in the suburbs.” She remarked, climbing off the bike and looking up and down the cookie-cutter street with perfect lawns.

Undoubtedly, the HOA had a hand in saying how long the grass was kept.

It was late, almost three a.m., so she wouldn’t expect to see any neighbors, but the street was nicely lit, almost invitingly cute.

“Yeah,” smiled Sebastian, unlocking their stuff; he shoved both over his shoulder and prowled toward the cute house with the three front steps leading up to a wrap-around porch. “Where better to hide than in plain sight?”

“I thought it would be out in the sticks.”

“We have places out there, too. But this is better.”

“It’s not even far from your house. You could go home.”

He whipped around before he unlocked the door.

“I’m not leaving you alone. Not for a second. Don’t suggest that shit again, Sunny. Let’s get in; I’m wiped, and you must be tired.”

After turning off the house alarm, he spoke to the voice-activated system, and the lights came on.

“Everything is safe, but stay here while I do a walk-through. Kick off your boots and jacket,” he told her.

Tired and not wanting to get on his bad side so soon, Sunny remained in the hallway while Seb jogged upstairs.

He returned quickly and shrugged out of his jacket, tossing it over the newel post. “I aired this place a few days ago and got enough groceries for a few meals, turned on the boiler, and changed the sheets.”

“That sounds like you planned to come here.”

“I was being prepared.” He stared her in the eye and then cocked his chin. “Do you want food or to get some sleep?”

“Sleep.” But then she caught sight of his hands and gasped, stopping him from moving. Each knuckle was bruised, and crusted blood coated each finger. “What happened?”

“I beat that little prick to a pulp.” He growled.

“Well, you can’t sleep with hands like this, or they’ll get infected, and I’ll be forced to perform an amputation with a penknife. Find a first aid kit.”

He chuffed a laugh, gently running his thumb over hers, and she quickly dropped his hand, burned by his touch. “Sunny, it’s a flophouse, not the Beverly Wiltshire.”

She scowled, but had to admit he looked delicious with his dark hair in his eyes. She used to fix his hair, but now she could only hold her hands in place.

“Bikers come here because they’re in trouble. It will have a box full of things to patch them up. Look, please.”

She waited in the kitchen, and sure enough, she heard him stomping down the hallway, carrying a clear container. “I found this in the bathroom.”

“Sit there,” she pointed to a bar stool, having a rummage, pleased she found antiseptic cream.

She dabbed the cuts lightly with warm water first. His hands were huge compared to hers, and every time she looked at him, he was already staring, making her nervous, especially when he rubbed his thumb on her palm.

“All done,” she breathed minutes later once she’d treated his knuckles. “You should have whacked him with a piece of wood, not your hands.”

“I’ll remember that for next time,” he chuckled, towering over Sunny. “Let’s head up to bed.”

A sentence she never thought she’d hear him say to her.

And because she had a stupid heart that still belonged to him, she shadowed his steps and hoped there was a time she wouldn’t mindlessly follow Sebastian Priest.